Chapter 211 Worried
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Adam approached the group, his hands clasped behind his back. His gaze took in the relaxed vibe between the team and Noah. "How's it going, everyone?"
Natasha grinned wide, her earlier competitive edge replaced with genuine enthusiasm. "It's been great, Lieutenant! You gave us a great captain."
Adam raised an eyebrow, his surprise evident. He glanced at the others, who nodded in agreement. Even Nathan, who had been the most sceptical, offered a small nod of acknowledgement.
"I thought it might take some time for you all to warm up to him," Adam mused, his tone thoughtful. "But it seems like he really can change hearts."
Natasha tilted her head with a smirk. "Well, he didn't exactly give us much of a choice. The guy broke every record we have and still had the nerve to act like it was just another Tuesday."
Nathan added with a chuckle, "Yeah, he even made us question if we were the elite soldiers or just trainees here to make him look good."
"He's different, Lieutenant. I think we all see that now." Theo said, his voice calm.
Adam's lips curled into a small smile. "That's good to hear. I picked him to be your captain for a reason."
Then, straightening up, Adam addressed the group. "Alright, it's getting late. Today was just about introductions and getting to know each other. Captain Noah will be leaving with me today."
"What?!" Natasha's protest was immediate, her face contorted into a pout. "How is our captain not staying with us in the same dorm?"
Adam chuckled softly. "Because he won't be with you full-time. He's a busy person with many responsibilities outside this base. However," he added, glancing at Noah, "I'm sure he'll make time to visit a few times a week. So don't worry."
Natasha crossed her arms and pouted further, muttering under her breath, "It doesn't feel like a proper team without the captain here."
Noah, unable to hold back his amusement, chuckled. "Don't be upset. Next time I come here, I'll teach you a few things."
Natasha's pout disappeared instantly, replaced with an eager grin. "You called it, Captain! We'll be ready."
Nathan smirked, crossing his arms. "If it's anything like today, we'll probably just get our egos shattered again."
Theo shrugged with a faint smile. "I wouldn't mind. It's good to be challenged."
Adam clapped his hands together, drawing the group's attention. "Alright, that's enough for today. Let's wrap this up."
Natasha gave Noah a salute. "Safe travels, Captain. Don't keep us waiting too long."
Noah smirked, returning the salute. "Don't worry. I won't leave you hanging."
As Noah followed Adam out of the base, he glanced back to see the three of them waving goodbye.
...
Adam pulled the car to a smooth stop in front of Noah's mansion. The darkness made it hard for the guards to recognize the vehicle, and their professionalism kicked in immediately. Henderson, the leader of the guards stepped forward with a commanding tone.
"Stop!" he called out firmly, motioning for his team to stay on alert as he approached.
Adam watched as the guard strode toward the vehicle.
Henderson reached the driver's side, knocked on the window, and took a step back. Slowly, the window rolled down, revealing Adam's face.
Henderson's stern expression melted into one of sheer surprise. "Lieutenant Adam?"
Adam blinked in equal shock as he recognised the face. "Henderson?"
A brief silence hung in the air as both men stared at each other, years of unspoken history passing between them. Noah leaned back, the grin on his face growing wider. He had already anticipated this moment ever since he got into Adam's car.
"Lieutenant Adam, what are you doing here?" Henderson finally managed, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Before Adam could respond, Henderson glanced at the passenger seat, his eyes locking on Noah. Recognition flashed across his face.
"Boss Noah?" Henderson said, his voice filled with astonishment.
"Hi," Noah said, a soft smile on his face.
Henderson looked between the two, piecing things together quickly. His gaze shifted back to Adam. "You… you know each other?"
Adam nodded lightly, leaning back in his seat. "We are indeed close."
Henderson's expression became more complex, his mind undoubtedly racing. He turned back to Noah, his respect evident. "Boss, you never mentioned that you were… connected to the military."
Noah shrugged.
Noah had already anticipated this for several reasons. After arriving at his mansion for the first time, Noah realised that Henderson was too skilled for the job. So he decided to use the Memory glance skill, which showed him and told him many things about Henderson's background.
Henderson wasn't just skilled—he was exceptional. His memories unfolded like a reel of action-packed history. Henderson had been a member of an elite special forces unit, working on missions that required nerves of steel and unparalleled precision. His teammates included Natasha, Theo, and Nathan, whom Noah hadn't met yet at the time. Together, they had tackled missions most people wouldn't dare dream of, each operation more dangerous than the last.
But the memory also revealed the moment that changed everything. A mission gone wrong. Henderson sustained a severe injury that left him unable to continue his career in the military. Noah could feel the weight of that memory—the frustration, the sense of loss, and the eventual acceptance that he would have to step away from the life he'd known. It was after this that Henderson had taken the role of guard leader.
At first, Noah filed away the information, recognizing Henderson's potential but deciding to wait for the right moment. It wasn't until he entered the military base for the first time that everything clicked into place. Seeing Natasha, Theo, and Nathan during his introduction triggered a wave of recognition. Their faces matched those he had seen in Henderson's memories.
"That's it," Noah had thought, his eyes scanning their expressions. The connection was undeniable. Henderson had once stood shoulder-to-shoulder with these individuals, part of a tightly-knit team that handled missions others wouldn't dare take on.
It all fell into place. Noah realized that Henderson's current position wasn't just a result of his injury; it was a strategic withdrawal, a retreat forced by circumstances but not a surrender of his talents. The fact that Henderson was now under Noah's leadership was more than a coincidence—it was an opportunity.
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And Noah never wasted opportunities.
From that moment, a new layer of his plan began to form. Noah knew that Henderson could be a valuable asset, not just as a guard leader but as someone who could bridge his military and personal ventures. Henderson had the trust and respect of his former teammates, and Noah recognized the potential to use that connection to build an unshakable foundation for his goals.
As Noah and Adam pulled into the mansion that evening, the sight of Henderson's familiar figure approaching the car only confirmed what he had already been planning. This was the moment to plant the seed, to remind Henderson of his potential, cure him of his injury and show him that his skills hadn't been forgotten.
...
Inside his house, Adam moved through the quiet hallways, his thoughts swirling with the events of the day. He stopped in front of his father's door and knocked lightly. A gruff voice responded, "Come in."
Adam pushed the door open to find his father sitting in a comfortable chair, a small lamp casting a warm glow over his wrinkled features. The old man looked up, his eyes immediately catching the troubled expression on Adam's face.
"What's on your mind, son?" he asked, setting aside the book he'd been reading.
Adam hesitated for a moment before stepping fully into the room and closing the door behind him. "It's Noah," he began, his tone laced with unease.
The old man frowned, leaning forward slightly. "What about him?"
Adam exhaled, trying to put his thoughts into words. "He's… too talented, Dad. I've never seen anyone like him. I'm starting to feel—worried."
The old man raised an eyebrow. "Worried? Why? Isn't his talent a good thing? Especially for us?"
Adam shook his head, his expression conflicted. "You don't understand. It's not just talent—it's beyond that. He's hiding so much. Today, he broke every single record in the base. The obstacle course? He obliterated the previous time, and made it look like the last record-holder was just a kid playing games. The shooting range? Perfect bullseyes, one after the other, like it was second nature to him. And the simulation room…" Adam trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck.
"What about the simulation room?" the old man pressed.
"He didn't just beat the record—he annihilated it. By such a margin that it made the previous scores look laughable. His physical strength, his reflexes, his precision… everything about him isn't normal. It's almost… unnerving."
The old man leaned back, his fingers steepled in thought. "You think he's hiding his abilities on purpose?"
Adam nodded slowly. "He's not just talented—he's calculating. I'm starting to feel like every move he makes is deliberate. He's not just skilled, he's methodical. He only shows what he wants people to see. That level of control… it makes me wonder."
The old man's expression softened as he chuckled under his breath. "Adam, you're overthinking this. Yes, Noah is exceptional, but think about everything he's done for us. The man saved not only my life but Amelia's. He could have asked for anything in return, but he didn't. Not even once. He's shown us loyalty, and he's proven his integrity."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Adam frowned, unconvinced. "But what if his loyalty is conditional? What if he's building something for himself, and we're just stepping stones?"
The old man leaned forward, his tone firm. "Listen, Adam. Hiding his skills isn't the same as deceit. Did he have a place to showcase his talents before now? No. Did he have access to a shooting range or a military-grade simulation room? Of course not. Maybe he's just a man who's finally found an outlet for what he's capable of. And maybe… he doesn't feel the need to show everything unless it's necessary."
Adam sighed, rubbing his temples. "I don't know, Dad. Something about him… it's hard to put into words. It's like he's always five steps ahead of everyone, and we're just catching up."
The old man smiled knowingly. "And isn't that exactly what we need? Someone who can see further than we can, someone who can do what others can't? Instead of worrying, think about how fortunate we are to have someone like him in our corner. Trust is earned, Adam, and so far, Noah's done nothing to lose ours."
Adam stared at his father for a moment, the weight of his words settling in. "You're right. Maybe I'm just overthinking it. He hasn't given us a reason to doubt him."
The old man nodded. "Exactly. Now let the man work his magic, and let's support him while he does. Who knows? Noah might be the one to change everything—for us and for this country."
Adam managed a small smile. "Thanks, Dad. I'll leave you to rest."
As he turned to leave, the old man's voice followed him. "And Adam? Keep an open mind. Great men often seem mysterious because they think in ways the rest of us can't."
Adam nodded and walked out.
Whilst Adam was lost in his spiralling worries, Noah was stepping out of his luxurious jacuzzi, the steam swirling around him like a veil. He grabbed a towel, patting himself dry before draping it around his shoulders.
Dressing in a casual yet luxurious pyjama set, Noah forewent his bedroom and descended the grand staircase instead, heading straight for the living room.
Noah sank into the plush couch, one leg casually crossed over the other, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.
Glancing at the ornate clock on the wall, he smirked faintly as if knowing something others didn't. Almost on cue, the doorbell rang with a crisp chime.
"There he is," Noah muttered to himself, standing with a composed grace.
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